The City of Reno will end its contract with Flock Safety, as reported by The Nevada Independent on October 9, 2026. City Manager Jackie Bryant confirmed the decision, stating the city will not automatically renew its current agreement with the automatic license plate reader (ALPR) company. This decision follows mounting privacy and civil rights concerns surrounding Flock Safety's technology.
What does this mean for drivers in Reno?
For now, Flock Safety cameras will remain operational in Reno until the current contract expires in mid-March 2027. After that, these specific cameras will be removed. However, the city is actively looking for a new ALPR provider, with city staff expected to present information on a new contract at the city council's October 21 meeting. This means that while Flock Safety cameras will be gone, other ALPRs could soon take their place.
Key considerations for the new contract include:
- Ensuring data remains under city control.
- Clear privacy safeguards.
- Automatic audit trails for searches and users.
This shift indicates that Reno intends to continue using ALPR technology, but with potentially stricter oversight and privacy protections than were in place with Flock Safety. Drivers should be aware that ALPRs may still be present in the city, just under a different provider and policy framework. You can always check our /map for the latest information on camera locations.
Why is Reno ending its contract with Flock Safety?
The decision to end the contract stems from public and council concerns about Flock Safety's practices. Civil liberties experts nationwide have criticized Flock Safety for alleged misuse by law enforcement and enabling warrantless searches. The company's network, which includes over 80,000 ALPRs, feeds into a national database accessible to law enforcement.
The Nevada Independent previously reported that Reno operated at least 40 Flock Safety cameras. Councilmember Naomi Duerr expressed relief that the contract was ending, stating it was "about time" and that city management "heard our concerns and those of our constituents about Flock cameras." The city council initially approved the contract in November 2024, utilizing $450,000 in pandemic relief funds.
This move by Reno mirrors a similar decision by the nearby City of Sparks, which announced earlier in the summer that it would end its contract with Flock Safety and instead use ALPR technology from Axon. Sparks' new five-year contract with Axon is expected to cost nearly $1 million. The City of Reno's next steps will involve evaluating new proposals to ensure any future ALPR deployment aligns with community expectations for privacy and accountability.